New York Allows Crossbows For Hunting

© By Othmar Vohringer

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation signed on August 27, 2014 an act into law that permits crossbows to be used by hunters. However, unlike many other U.S. states where crossbows have been made legal archery hunting equipment New York still does not recognize them as such.

In order to hunt with a crossbow hunters need to successfully challenge a crossbow qualification & safety training test. Hunters wishing to use a crossbow also must in some cases be in possession of  a valid muzzleloader licence. The department states; "The new law essentially treats crossbows as a muzzleloader." There are also certain regions or "zones" where crossbows are not permitted. While there are areas and times when crossbows are permitted outside of the muzzlelader season, in most instances they are only permitted during the regular muzzleloader hunting season.

With all the restrictions in place I still find it encouraging to see that yet another state has given hunters the opportunity to use crossbows for hunting big and small game species. It's a start in the right direction.

To read the new regulations and information about crossbow hunting in New York visit the website of the New York Department of Environmental Conservation/Crossbow Hunting.